For the children of immigrants, the pressure to succeed is high.

If these children, who are not only American citizens, but also, inevitably, hold the key to California’s future welfare, experience such a dramatic blow to their already-limited resource bank, the consequences for the entire state will be dire.

Last night I went to visit the Rodarte family in Delano, CA., for dinner and conversation about Mexico, farm-working, immigration, and the merits of struggle as a motivational force. Mrs Rodarte served enchiladas and Agua de Jamaica, while five of her seven children bustled through the large, bright house.

The harder the struggle, the higher the aspiration?